Air compressor malfunction detector

Abstract

A compressor which is provided with a safety device so that it is possible to detect occurrence of a primary accident, for example, breakage of a connecting rod, in the early stage. The compressor has a pressure sensor installed at a predetermined position in the compressor to detect the level of pressure at that position, a memory means for storing the behavior of the pressure change at the predetermined position that is obtained when the compressor is running in a normal state, a means for judging the behavior of the pressure change actually taking place at the predetermined position on the basis of an output from the pressure sensor and making a comparison between the actual pressure change behavior and the pressure change behavior in the normal state that is stored in the memory means, and a means for suspending the compressor when the actual pressure change behavior is different from the pressure change behavior in the normal state. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent occurrence of a secondary accident which may invite a serious accident and hence possible to enhance the safety and reliability of the compressor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compressor comprising: a pressure sensor installed at a predetermined position in said compressor to detect the level of pressure at said position;   memory means for storing the behavior of the continuous change of the pressure level at said predetermined position that is obtained when said compressor is running in a normal state;   means for judging the behavior of the continuous change of the pressure level actually taking place at said predetermined position on the basis of an output from said pressure sensor and making a comparison between said actual pressure change behavior and said pressure change behavior in the normal state that is stored in said memory means; and   means for suspending said compressor when said actual pressure change behavior is different from said pressure change behavior in the normal state.   
     
     
       2. A compressor according to claim 1, which further comprises a compressor body arranged to suck and compress air and an air tank for storing the compressed air delivered from said compressor body, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said air tank. 
     
     
       3. A compressor according to claim 1, which further comprises a compressor body arranged to suck and compress air, an air tank for storing compressed air and a pipe for delivering the compressed air from said compressor body to said air tank, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said pipe. 
     
     
       4. A compressor according to claim 1, which further comprises a crankcase, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said crankcase. 
     
     
       5. A compressor comprising: a pressure sensor installed at a predetermined position in said compressor to detect the level of pressure at said position;   memory means for storing the behavior of the pressure change at said predetermined position that is obtained when said compressor is running in a normal state;   means for judging the behavior of the pressure change actually taking place at said predetermined position on the basis of an output from said pressure sensor and making a comparison between said actual pressure change behavior and said pressure change behavior in the normal state that is stored in said memory means;   means for suspending said compressor when said actual pressure change behavior is different from said pressure change behavior in the normal state; and   a compressor body arranged to suck and compress air and an air tank for storing the compressed air delivered from said compressor body, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said air tank.   
     
     
       6. A compressor comprising: a pressure sensor installed at a predetermined position in said compressor to detect the level of pressure at said position;   memory means for storing the behavior of the pressure change at said predetermined position that is obtained when said compressor is running in a normal state;   means for judging the behavior of the pressure change actually taking place at said predetermined position on the basis of an output from said pressure sensor and making a comparison between said actual pressure change behavior and said pressure change behavior in the normal state that is stored in said memory means;   means for suspending said compressor when said actual pressure change behavior is different from said pressure change behavior in the normal state; and   a compressor body arranged to suck and compress air, an air tank for storing compressed air and a pipe for delivering the compressed air from said compressor body to said air tank, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said pipe.   
     
     
       7. A compressor comprising: a pressure sensor installed at a predetermined position in said compressor to detect the level of pressure at said position;   memory means for storing the behavior of the pressure change at said predetermined position that is obtained when said compressor is running in a normal state;   means for judging the behavior of the pressure change actually taking place at said predetermined position on the basis of an output from said pressure sensor and making a comparison between said actual pressure change behavior and said pressure change behavior in the normal state that is stored in said memory means;   means for suspending said compressor when said actual pressure change behavior is different from said pressure change behavior in the normal state; and   a crankcase, said pressure sensor being installed so as to detect the level of air pressure inside said crankcase.